Inspired by numerous conversations with trainer-teacher-learners attending the annual American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim a little over a week ago, I’m struck by how much of what we all do is firmly rooted in the concept of building communities while having fun--and by how much a conference can help us in this valuable endeavor.

Anyone who has become totally enchanted by a certain method of doing something—training, teaching, and learning, for example—knows that there is a moment of truth to be confronted: that moment when we become firm advocates of that method to the exclusion of all others.

Trainers looking for examples of ice-breakers and other strong ways to open presentations--a hallmark of Infopeople workshops--have frequently been in trainer heaven while attending the ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) 2008 International Conference & Exposition here in San Diego.
Although a few of the examples were so superficial that they could have taken down the Titanic if it hadn’t already sunk, many will undoubtedly remain with us to the benefit of those we train when we return to work.

If there had been a large contingent of library staff attending Marc Rosenberg’s “Beyond E-Learning” presentation for trainers this afternoon in San Diego, they probably would have offered him a standing ovation.

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